Council’s “crazy” attitude to strip clubs - City Hall bars drinking outside Soho's Sunset Strip

Published: 19 November, 2010
by JOSH LOEB

STAFF at one of London’s oldest strip clubs have accused Westminster City Council of “crazy political correctness” after a judge ruled City Hall was wrong to bar drinking outside the venue.

In a letter sent to the West End Extra, staff at Sunset Strip in Dean Street warned that the “traditional fabric of Soho” was being “eroded” due to the council’s “crazy” attitude to strip clubs. 

The protest follows an appeal by Sunset Strip against a refusal by Westminster Council to vary the conditions of its licence and allow alcohol consumption in an outside smoking area attached to the club.

At Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, District Judge Quentin Purdy found in favour of Sunset Strip, concluding that there had been “absolutely no history of disorder” at the club and called the council’s position “unsustainable”. 

His written verdict said: “With all due respect to Westminster City Council their position seems in my judgment dogmatic if not frankly absurd given the evidence before this court.” 

This week Sunset Strip owner Tony Curran insisted the council should be trying to work with him rather than “putting up obstacles”.

He said: “This club is around 50 years old and is part of the heritage of London. They have picked on us. We have never had any ­trouble and the punters come and go. They should be helping small businesses like us, not putting obstacles in our way.”

Sunset Strip offers strip­tease, pole dancing and private dancing and has won accolades for its shows at the annual Erotic Awards.

The council’s cabinet member for business, Councillor Brian Connell, said: “We were keen to ensure drinkers in the smoking area outside Sunset Strip did not add to the cumulative impact of noise and disorder which was the objection raised by the Soho Society and Dean Street Residents Association. 

“We do not ‘single out’ any venues and monitor them all to the mutual benefit of the establishment and residents. We are disappointed in the outcome but ultimately accept the court’s decision.”